Narcan Used by Braintree Fire to Save 56 Lives

Nearly 60 people have been saved by Braintree firefighters thank to the use of Narcan.

As part of a report on the life-saving medicine at this week’s town council meeting, firefighter Fred Viola said the drug has been administered 59 times to Braintree residents experiencing a heroin overdose with 56 reversals. The three failed reversals were because due to the length of the overdoes, making the drug ineffective.

The numbers do not include those from Braintree police and Brewster Ambulance, who also carrying the drug.

The use of Narcan in Braintree stated in February of 2014 when fire chief James O’Brien was brought to various meetings on the opiate epidemic by Robyn LaFrance, the services coordinator in Mayor Joe Sullivan’s office.

“To say my eyes were opened to the epidemic would be an understatement,” O’Brien said.

The fire chief credited LaFrance when getting Narcan in the hands of firefighters, stating that she is the reason why so many lives have been saved.

“When I asked to add Narcan to the enormous responsibilities already carried on a daily basis, (the firefighters) never asked why they had to do it or what’s in it to me. Instead, they jumped at the opportunity to help and to become leaders in the fight against this awful disease,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien also thanked Sullivan and District Attorney Michael Morrissey for their efforts in dealing with the crisis.

According to Viola, many of the addicts are not necessarily life-long addicts. It could also be a football player that was on a medicine for an injury and their addiction drove them to other drugs.

Like O’Brien, Councilor Charles Ryan called the presentation “eyeopening.”